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Crowdsourcing, infrastructure-as-a-service and even marketing intelligence solutions can help small and mid-sized businesses to grow and become more profitable. It's a cliché, perhaps, to say that business is always changing, but nonetheless the way business is conducted does change — just ask anyone in e-commerce.

Home furnishings retailer Bed Bath & Beyond has reported net sales for the second quarter ended August 27, 2011 increased by 8.3% to $2.3bn (£1.5bn). Like-for-like store sales in the financial second quarter of 2011 increased by approximately 5.6% compared with the period the year before. Net earnings grew by 26.2% to $229m (£148m). Subscriber only content You must be a paid subscriber to Retail Week magazine to read this article and receive complete, unrestricted access to retail-week.com Retail Week Subscribers: If you are a Retail Week subscriber please sign in with your email address and click submit: Email

Casual Cushion has launched a new website to help its network of specialty dealer and manufacturer customers.The company focuses on producing cushions and umbrellas for manufacturers, large retailers, catalog companies and specialty stores. Its new website includes high-resolution images of all its collections, fabrics and a downloadable catalog. A dealer log-in section provides many tools including order forms, pricing and lists of cushions for dealers to easily cross-reference to find the cushions that they need."We have also hired Mike Donahue, a full-time IT professional and Web liaison for our retail customers," said Jason Siesel, VP Casual Cushion Corp. "He

Despite the uncertain economy, a key revenue measure at Signet Jewelers Ltd. rose about 10 percent in August and September. The company said Tuesday that revenue in stores open at least one year were "broadly in line" with the 9.9 percent increase the company reported in the May-July quarter. This figure is a key gauge of a retailer's health because it excludes results from stores recently opened or closed. September and August comprise two-thirds of the company's fiscal third quarter, which ends on Oct. 29. Signet operates 1,850 stores. In the U.S., they're branded Kay Jewelers and Jared The

The Orvis Company announced the launch of its iPhone and Android rich apps powered by mobile commerce provider Digby. The rich apps complement all of Orvis’ cross-channel touchpoints including retail stores, e-commerce, catalogs, and a mobile-optimized website.

AutoZone has reported net sales for the financial year ended August 27, 2011 increased by 9.6% to $8.1bn (£5.2bn). Same-store sales rose by 6.3% while net income was up by 15% to $848m (£547m). Fourth quarter net sales climbed 8.1% to $2.6bn (£1.7bn) while same-store sales grew by 4.5%.

Online music service Rhapsody announced that it's purchased Napster from Best Buy. Rhapsody didn't disclose the price it paid for Napster, which Best Buy acquired in 2008 for $121 million in a bid to break into the online music subscription space.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Sam's Club will offer a limited 15-week membership for $15. The seasonal membership is available for purchase during regular club hours for a limited time between Oct. 4 and 10.

After a decade at the helm of Target's marketing, Michael Francis is leaving the company to join J.C. Penney. Francis will join J.C. Penney as president, effective immediately.

REDLANDS, CA (BRAIN)Five Ten has appointed Wally Barker as its new chief financial officer. His professional background includes serving as president and CFO of Quiksilver, Japan. "Wally is a fantastic addition to our team," said Charles Cole, founder and president of Five Ten. "There are few people in the world who combine such passion for adventure and business. It is rare to find a person with such strong pedigrees in both climbing and business. We are proud and lucky to have him on board." Dean Potter, Five Ten athlete and National Geographic 2011 Athlete of the Year, said, "Wally